[the asklimit is incredibly hateful]
Summer shrugged uncomfortably, but met his eyes nonetheless. “I’m a mutant. An empath. I’m not staying here. I’ve a life, in New York, in the city. But I thought you should know.”
“An empath.. you’re the first one I’ve met.” He eyes at Summer with a curious smile. “I’m not forcing you to stay dear, you don’t have to be afraid.” He rests his hands on his lap, trying to look as nonthreatening as possible. “How’s your life like in the city? How do you manage to hide your abilities, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Hiding the mutant ability is easy. It’s amazing how many people simply assume I’m reading body language, facial expressions, tones of voice. Phrasing. I don’t,” she hesitates, “manipulate. Unless I have to. Absolutely have to. Just knowing is enough, most days.”
She laughs, a little bitterly. “Most days, just knowing is all I can take. It just comes in and in and in, and for a long time there was no out. That’s the part that’s harder to hide.” Summer works her fingers a little, the curious gesture of someone used to working with their hands. “If I don’t find an out, I convulse.” Looking down, she goes on, “Until I discovered this.” And abruptly both hands are covered in flames.